13. Xia Ling: Please, Anything but the Basement!

"If you keep protecting them like this, they won't have many opportunities to grow."

Kevin paused for a moment and looked at Xia Ling.

"But you can come along if you'd like."

"Forget it, what if I also go to World Serpent..."

Xia Ling thought about it and imagined what would happen if Theresa and Qi Qun teamed up to fight the World Serpent, only to find that Elysia had one in each hand.

Xia Ling couldn't help but shiver.

"However, Kevin, you're so persistent in inviting Mei ..." Xia Ling's gaze turned somewhat teasing. "As expected, you haven't forgotten that promise."

"..."

Kevin seemed to be silent more often today.

"Don't worry, I'm not entirely against it, but..."

"Mei is my dearest friend and sister."

You mean to say...?

"So, we have to pay more."

Kevin swallowed back the second half of his sentence that he was about to say.

Looking at the cunning girl, Kevin felt a long-lost sense of helplessness towards her.

"Okay, what do you want?"

"Now that you've returned to World Serpent, it shouldn't lack manpower anymore, especially with the addition of Mei, the true Herrscher of Thunder..."

Xia Ling finally revealed the most important purpose of her trip.

"So... I can borrow the Seven Thunders of Retribution to play with?"

"I see... Your abilities are indeed very well suited to this Divine Key."

As a seasoned warrior, Kevin immediately understood her plan: high-intensity stealth and acceleration, combined with long-range sniping and unpredictable spatial abilities.

The girl's only weakness is that she doesn't have enough damage output.

If Xia Ling could be strengthened with the Third Divine Key, which is known for its destructive power, her combat strength would receive a terrifying boost.

"I can give you the Seven Thunders of Retribution, but when this Divine Key was made, I incorporated a bit of Vill-V's whimsical idea, which is to include a virtual personality within it."

"If we can't get its approval... well, never mind."

Upon seeing the storybook in Xia Ling's hand and sensing the undisguised traces of Vill-V's alteration within it, Kevin didn't continue speaking.

Indeed, Xia Ling's style of doing things is always well-prepared, and the few times she gambles, she always uses herself as the stake. She would not make such a demand on herself before she is fully prepared.

"The next plan still needs the Seven Thunders of Retribution as a guarantee. When Raven leaves, I will find an opportunity to give you this Divine Key."

"Yay!" Xia Ling was as happy as a child who had just received a favorite toy.

"Since you've come to ask about the start time of the Schicksal Experiment, then your plan for the Herrscher of the Void should go beyond just extracting the Herrscher Core and alleviating the corrosive effects on her body, right?"

Seeing Xia Ling's happy expression, Kevin shook his head helplessly. "In any case, I look forward to the transformation of the Herrscher of the Void. I wish you success."

"Don't worry, we'll win." Xia Ling gave a confident smile, then took a step back and entered a doorway.

Kevin couldn't help but sigh as he watched Xia Ling leave.

She has many ideas and strong initiative, and so far, there have been no oversights.

Even so, they still didn't have much time left.

Starting with the Fifth Herrscher, Herrscher will descend one after another at an unbelievable pace. Hopefully, before the final deadline arrives, she can find a solution beyond the Stigmata Project...

On the Hyperion, Kiana's surgery is complete.

Mei, waiting anxiously outside the operating room, was restless and anxious.

Before finding Kiana, all she could think about was how to bring Kiana back. But after finally finding Kiana and seeing the girl covered in Honkai Energy erosion marks, she suddenly became afraid.

She feared it was too late, that Kiana's condition was irreversible. Those few hours outside the operating room were the most agonizing hours of Mei's life.

"Mei, how is it?"

"Dr. Tesla hasn't come out yet..."

With a sound of footsteps, Theresa walked in from outside. She had just finished docking the Helios and put the Hyperion into alert mode.

After all, the World Serpent is in Changkong City, which means that Schicksal could come at any time. Changkong City might become a battlefield like Changkong City at any moment. The Hyperion can no longer continue to be as leisurely as before.

Just then, the operating room door suddenly opened.

"Dr. Tesla, how is the situation?"

The two quickly surrounded him, but Tesla's gloomy face made their hearts sink at the same time.

Kiana is out of danger for now, but...

"Just as I guessed before, the three cores put a huge burden on her body and caused erosion, especially for Kiana, two of which were not compatible with her and were implanted later."

At this point, Tesla took a deep breath.

"You must remain calm after you hear what I am about to say."

"Einstein is still conducting remote consultations, but... based on our current conclusions."

"Even if Kiana doesn't use her powers at all, she still has at most six months left."

"Six months?"

"How... how could this be... Kiana wasn't this bad back in Changkong City..."

"This is thanks to the fact that Kiana's physical condition was very good before she was in Changkong City. According to Xia Ling, although she forcibly controlled the two cores to stop their activation at that time, the damage to Kiana was already irreversible."

"Sigh... I'll discuss it with Ain later and see if we can find it..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Hyperion's alarm suddenly went off.

Theresa's expression changed, and she immediately opened the terminal. The navigator's panicked voice rang out almost simultaneously.

"Headmaster, Judgment-class Honkai Beast, Benares, has appeared directly in front of the Hyperion!"

"Our camouflage system seems to have no effect on it at all; the enemy is almost charging straight at us."

"What should we do, Principal? Should we fight back? Or should we try to shake it off?"

"Fight back, bring it onto the deck, and I'll deal with it myself."

"Mei, you were just injured, so stay here for now. Tesla, start the Father on the launch deck."

Theresa's voice was filled with anger. Kiana's physical condition and Xia Ling's strange disappearance had already made her feel irritable. Now, this Benares who had come to her doorstep could serve as her punching bag, allowing her to vent her resentment.

Chapter Thirteen Xia Ling: No basement or anything like that!

After her experience in Changkong City, Theresa benefited from the misfortune, greatly increasing her control over the activation of Vishnu Gene. After that, Ain made another minor adjustment to her armor based on this.

The newly-minted Twilight Knight has yet to experience actual combat, and this is a perfect opportunity for her to test the limits of her abilities.

However...

On the deck of the Hyperion, watching Xia Ling sitting sideways on Benares with a smug look on her face, Theresa felt her brain trembling.

"Hi, Theresa?"

Xia Ling waved happily at her, then jumped off the dragon's back, landing right on the black cube that appeared out of thin air, and slowly floated towards Theresa.

"So, what do you think of the pet I rescued? Isn't it handsome?"

Xia Ling had an expression that said, "I'm so amazing, praise me!"

Then, Theresa's face darkened, and she grabbed Xia Ling's face.

"Tell me honestly, what's going on?"

"Mmm, stop pinching me, I'll tell you..."

Xia Ling let out a muffled, mournful cry and hurriedly begged Theresa for mercy.

"Elbow, come inside with me, and then you can explain properly!"

"Bella, you transform into human form and explore the Hyperion on your own. I'll come find you in a bit—"

Watching Xia Ling being dragged away, Bella deeply understood what Xia Ling meant when she said that if she went back, she probably wouldn't be able to get out again.

A few minutes later, in the captain's cabin, Xia Ling was explaining the whole story to the group.

"So, Sister Xia Ling left the team to take the opportunity to win over Benares?"

"That's right, the tracking device on you is a safety net. If Raven really wants to attack you, I can use that to help you."

"As for why I judged that Bella could communicate... it's because I've seen some of Sirin's past memories."

"The reason she stopped us was probably to protect Kiana. In fact, Bella is extremely loyal to both Kiana and Sirin."

"Therefore, I suspect that Bella is a force that we can win over."

"Goodness, I've seen people pick up kittens and puppies on the street, but I've never seen anyone pick up Judgment-class Honkai Beast."

Tesla looked like it had just seen something big.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Tesla, for causing you trouble."

"No, no, no, this is no trouble at all. Being able to reduce one enemy while increasing this combat power is something I'd be happy for you to cause me more trouble."

Tesla shook its head repeatedly, indicating that it did not take the matter to heart.

"However... Xia Ling."

Theresa's soft voice came from behind Xia Ling, making Xia Ling's body tremble suddenly.

"This time, you're going on an adventure alone again, right?"

"From beginning to end, I haven't heard a single definite message from you. Whether you went to subdue Bella or acted alone, it was all based on your 'speculation,' right?"

"Wait, wait, Theresa, let me explain!"

Xia Ling instantly broke out in a cold sweat and looked to the two people beside her for help.

Tesla and Mei tacitly looked away.

"Explanations are useless! As expected, disobedient Xia Ling should just be locked in the basement..."

"No, Theresa, just one day, just one day." Xia Ling quickly hugged Theresa's petite body.

Whether the basement is closed or not doesn't matter, but her plan isn't finished yet, and she still needs to receive the Seven Thunders of Retribution from the Raven.

So, Xia Ling skillfully and sweetly said, "Let me stay outside for one more day~"

Tesla and Mei exchanged a glance and silently left the room.

As the saying goes, "Don't look at what is improper," and what happened next might be something they couldn't bear to see.

As soon as the two "third wheels" left, under Xia Ling's trembling gaze, Theresa suddenly grabbed Xia Ling's wrist and pressed her down onto the desk.

The mode of transportation under her buttocks was thoughtfully raised slightly, making Xia Ling a little more comfortable.

Feeling Theresa's warm breath on her face and her body temperature, Xia Ling silently swallowed and closed her eyes.

However, what happened next was not quite what she had imagined.

"You've been gone for so long, you must have gone to do more than just rescue Bella."

Xia Ling's previously dazed eyes instantly cleared.

She thought Theresa was going to eat her, but instead of becoming less intelligent, Theresa, who was angry, actually became smarter.

"Hmph, don't I know you?" Seeing Xia Ling's surprised look, Theresa's vanity was greatly satisfied.

"If you really only saved Bella, you wouldn't have given such a precise 'one day'."

"The fact that you say that means... your plan isn't finished yet, is that right?"

"Saving Bella is not connected to any other event... so there must be something else you haven't told me. And that's why you insist on staying another day."

"?!" Xia Ling's eyes trembled.

"Ugh, you, you're not Theresa! How could you be so smart?"